Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Valatie, NY (March 3, 2015) –– Tierra Farm, an employee-owned, certified organic
manufacturer and distributor of nuts and dried fruits, is pleased to announce
an annual giving program that recognizes local nonprofits for the vital
services they provide to the community.

This year’s inaugural
program awards $14,900 to the following organizations for their dedication to
maintaining the health, safety and cultural fabric of the village of Valatie and greater Columbia County:

•
Valatie Rescue Squad, $2,500

• Valatie Fire
Department, $2,500

• Valatie Community
Theatre, $2,500

• Columbia County
Youth Baseball, $1,200

• Valatie Economic
Redevelopment Association, $1,200

• Tendhai Buddhist
Center, Canaan, $5,000

The annual community
donation program was inspired by Tierra Farm’s core values of integrity,
relationship building and fair business practices. This philosophy, which
promotes high-quality
working conditions and outstanding benefits for the company’s employees, also drives Tierra Farm’s commitment to give back to
the community that has served it well in the last decade.

(check presentation with Valatie Rescue Squad)

“Columbia County has
always welcomed us with open arms, and we wanted to set up an annual program
that shows our appreciation,” said Darren Grout, CEO of Tierra Farm.

With the support of the
community, Tierra Farm now employs 60 people in Columbia County, from eight
when it opened its Valatie operations 10 years ago. Another 25 people work at
Tierra Farm’s Madison Theater
Complex in Albany. Tierra Farm also owns the Valatie Bar and Grill. Its two latest
ventures, “The Lodge” clothing store in Valatie and a vegetarian café/bakery at
the farm, both plan late spring openings.

Moreover, in keeping
with the company’s spirit of healthy eating and living and its longstanding
practice of buying directly from growers, Tierra Farm is working with the
village of Valatie to open a farmer’s market this year. The farmer’s market
will allow residents to purchase food and other products directly from local
farms and retailers.

Gunther Fishgold,
president of Tierra Farm, encourages other local companies to adopt a
charitable philosophy as a means for creating a more sustainable economy.

“We not only want to
help these essential service groups,” Fishgold said, “but we’d like to see
other businesses ease individual tax burdens by donating to these organizations
instead of relying on local taxes to support them.”